RADIO
The 2021 NFL season is in the books, which means draft season is officially here. I have scouted over 50 of the top-rated prospects so far and will be working on many more up until draft night. My first goal was to do enough work on the top prospects to feel confident in producing a NFL mock draft as my first NFL draft article of the offseason. After this mock NFL draft, look out for in-depth prospect profile articles with film clips for the top skill position prospects in this class. As a college coach, my process includes critical film analysis along with an understanding of analytics. Here's a look at my profile of Ja'Marr Chase last year.
This year's draft class lacks a clear-cut top prospect and doesn't have a consensus top-10 quarterback. Overall, the players currently projected to go in the top half of the first round aren't that different from a talent standpoint than those projected to go later. It is likely that draft stocks will fluctuate more than usual this offseason. NFL teams will have very different boards, which means we may see some big surprises on draft night.
The purpose of this NFL mock draft is to project what I believe teams will do with the top-32 picks. This first version will not include trades, but future installments will. Packers fans can relax for now. On to the picks.
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1. Jacksonville: Evan Neal - OT, Alabama
The Jaguars have needs everywhere on the roster, but getting as much help as possible for Trevor Lawrence should be a priority. Cam Robinson is a free agent, which leaves last year's second-rounder Walker Little as his possible replacement at left tackle. The Jaguars could instead choose to move Little to right tackle and draft Alabama's Evan Neal, who is arguably the best player in the draft.
Neal is large and long and moves quite well for his 6-7, 350-pound frame. He's quick and athletic enough to match up with the top edge rushers in the NFL, and his long arms help him dominate in pass pro. When Neal gets hands on, it's over for a defender. He'll have to work on efficiency when climbing to the second level in the run game, but he has every trait you look for in a franchise LT.
2. Detroit: Aidan Hutchinson - EDGE, Michigan
Dan Campbell's Lions competed hard in 2021, but their roster simply lacks talent. Some believe Aidan Hutchinson is the best overall player in the draft after his breakout season at Michigan. The 6-6, 265-pound edge rusher has J.J. Watt-like moments on film and wreaked havoc on Big Ten offenses all year.
Hutchinson's best trait is his power, as his ability to collapse the pocket is special. His bullrush frequently walks tackles back into the lap of their QB. He has long arms and strong, dismissive hands, and the Washington tackle had no chance against him. While his first step is decent, his closing speed and change-of-direction aren't special. Hutchinson didn't do much in the CFP loss to Georgia and had some curious lowlights on film in other games as well. It was jarring to see him get blocked by Penn State's tight end in space twice. Hutchinson has a terrific motor and double-digit sack potential, but his film isn't without flaws.
3. Houston: Kayvon Thibodeaux - EDGE, Oregon
Lovie Smith and the Texans seem poised to give Davis Mills a full season as the starter, so surrounding him with offensive help could be an option at No. 3, especially if LT Laremy Tunsil is traded. If they stay put, a defender might be the best player available. Kayvon Thibodeaux is arguably the most talented prospect in this entire class, but there have been questions raised about his "competitive fire."
Sticking to the film, Thibodeaux is an exceptional talent. His final season stats may not have been eye-popping (just seven sacks), but opposing offenses generally did whatever they could to not allow him to go one-on-one against tackles. Thibodeaux has an amazing first step and special twitch, bend, and ankle flexion as a pass rusher. An edge terror, he showed dominant pass-rushing ability against Cal, Oregon State, and UCLA. He's able to get off the ball with a crazy first step and convert speed to power with his hands married to his feet. There's some Demarcus Ware in his game.
Thibodeaux is not as successful as a run defender, as he can get swallowed up by bigger guards and jolted back by pullers in gap scheme runs. However, unlike Hutchinson, he pancakes slicing tight ends. Overall, he is not a perfect prospect but there is no question he can be an elite NFL player if he puts in the work. It will be interesting to see if there are any more reports about teams questioning his competitiveness.
4. NY Jets: Kyle Hamilton - S, Notre Dame
Zach Wilson had a fairly disappointing rookie season in New York, and the Jets would be wise to get him some help on the offensive side of the ball. Mekhi Becton missed most of last season, so if the team doubts his future, they could easily go OT at this pick. If the team still has plans for Becton, Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton makes sense from both a need and value standpoint.
Hamilton had eight interceptions and 17 passes defended in his three seasons at Notre Dame and is the top safety prospect in this class. An instinctive ball-hawk, Hamilton is like an elite wing defender in basketball. At 6-4, 220, he may remind some people of former Clemson defensive weapon Isaiah Simmons, but Hamilton is better in coverage, specifically man. He has great eyes and efficient footwork and his coaching staff trusted him to match up with top opposing WRs like Purdue's David Bell. Hamilton picks his spots in run defense, but he has the acceleration and closing speed to make plays when needed. He can click-and-close and play man like a CB, but the team that drafts him has to have a reason to use a high pick on a safety. It would be a waste to leave him in center field.
5. NY Giants: Ikem Ekwonu - OT, North Carolina State
Daniel Jones is coming off a neck injury and hasn't clearly asserted himself as a franchise QB in New York. Giants co-owner John Mara seems to think he's been set up to fail, so it's very possible the new regime gives Jones another shot as the starter. I believe the Giants should look hard at the QBs in this class, but will ultimately end up passing on signal-callers in the first round.
In this projection, they address a huge need at right tackle, selecting North Carolina State's Ikem Ekwonu. The 6-4, 320 redshirt sophomore enjoyed a breakout season in 2021, garnering unanimous All-American accolades. Ekwonu has incredible fluidity and athleticism for his size, showing ideal knee bend and excellent control of hand placement. He reminds me of a great post defender in basketball when pass protecting. Ekwonu whiffs at times run blocking, but he's an ascending player who has impressive pass-blocking film and probably rarely loses one-on-one reps in practice. NC State's offensive coaches didn't teach much depth on his kickslide, but there's no doubt he has the ability to develop into a fine pro. The only question is how he fits in with the Giants in terms of playing right or left tackle. At the end of the day, there's nothing wrong with taking the best player available and figuring things out afterward.
6. Carolina: Devin Lloyd - LB, Utah
The Panthers will surely look closely at QB here, but they may be able to take the best player available at six and wheel and deal for their preferred signal-caller later. Carolina has a gaping hole at off-ball LB, and Utah's Devin Lloyd is one of the best defensive players in this class.
Lloyd is a ferocious presence who can run sideline to sideline and explode into the backfield for tackles for loss. His ability to displace guards and defeat blocks is uncommon for an off-ball LB in today's game. Heavy-handed with good change-of-direction and burst, Lloyd is incredibly tough to block. Some of his highlights include rag-dolling a Stanford guard and reading the QB's eyes to make a leaping pick-six. Lloyd can key and diagnose in the run game but doesn't have amazing coverage instincts. He also missed some tackles against USC. Regardless, he projects as a Pro Bowl-level linebacker in the pros.
7. NY Giants f/CHI: Treylon Burks - WR, Arkansas
After getting some offensive line help at No. 5, the Giants could look at an edge rusher here. Their other option is to continue to help out Daniel Jones with an offensive weapon. Sterling Shepard could be a cap casualty and Kenny Golladay is coming off a disastrous first season as New York's No. 1 WR. There is a healthy debate about who is the WR1 in this class, but Arkansas' Treylon Burks is probably the most physically talented.
Burks declared as Junior after producing 146 catches for 2399 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns in the SEC and has a freaky athletic profile for his size at 6-3, 225. Burks' speed jumps off the screen and he has looser hips than most players his size. Burks is marvelous in contested catch situations and flashes run-after-catch ability that is unmatched for WRs his size. He dismisses defenders, including Alabama DBs, multiple times on film. He frequently wins on back-shoulder and high-point situations down the field, and transitions to a runner quickly with great hands.
Burks has dealt with some injuries and sometimes does have some lazy moments as a blocker, but the biggest question mark about is his game is if he can get consistent separation. He failed to separate on a sail route and a slant against Roger McCreary, and most of his highlights include him using his physicality while closely covered. Like all prospects, his fate will be heavily influenced by his situation. If he can stay out of the trainer's room, work on his game, and is used correctly, he can be better than D.K. Metcalf.
8. Atlanta: Garrett Wilson - WR, Ohio State
The Falcons are yet another team picking in the top-10 who need to find their QB of the future, but No. 8 might still be too early. Calvin Ridley might be on his way out of Atlanta, so replacing him with one of the top WRs in this class is a possibility. Some may argue that using another top pick on a skill-position weapon would be unwise after spending the fourth overall pick on Kyle Pitts last year, but as the Bengals have taught us, you can never have too many explosive weapons on offense in today's NFL. A WR at No. 8 also makes sense from a value standpoint in this draft class.
Garrett Wilson of Ohio State plays like a mix of Marvin Harrison, Jerry Jeudy, and Ja'Marr Chase. Wilson had 143 catches for 2213 yards and 23 touchdowns in three years at Ohio State, asserting himself as the most well-rounded weapon in a loaded Buckeye WR room. His suddenness and hip fluidity are unmatched in this class, and it shows in his ability to get separation on all types of routes and after the catch. His lower body can do things others simply can't. His hands are terrific, flashing multiple low catches and the ability to adjust to the ball and make strong catches in traffic at the highest point.
It's fair to wonder if his run-after-catch prowess will translate to the next level, as he frequently spun on contact and messed around with some Madden-like hesitation moves. One of the most promising takeaways after studying Wilson was how he improved against press coverage from 2020 to 2021. Against Penn State in 2020, he struggled with press releases but clearly worked on that part of his game for 2021, showing less wasted steps and more compact violence at the line this past season. At his floor, Wilson can be a smooth slot receiver. His ceiling is All-Pro.
9. Denver: Devonte Wyatt - DT, Georgia
The Broncos have a strong roster outside of QB, so if they can swing a deal for Aaron Rodgers, this pick could easily go to Green Bay. If they keep the pick, expect heavy consideration to the top QBs. In this projection, they choose to play the waiting game and position themselves for their preferred QB later in the draft.
National Champion Georgia had one of the best defenses in the history of college football last year, and there is no shortage of quality UGA defenders in this year's class. After a strong Senior Bowl, Devonte Wyatt is starting to get some hype, but I've had him as the top Bulldog in this class all along. Wyatt is 6'3, 317, and his best trait by far is his elite change-of-direction ability.
As an interior player, his quickness is incredible. Wyatt's film showed a great inside swim move, the ability to win on stunts against Alabama, and enough violent strength to knock the ball out of Bryce Young's hands. Simply put, interior defensive linemen shouldn't be able to move like him. Kirby Smart even used him as a spy at times. He has the physical gifts to be an impact player at the NFL level.
10. NY Jets f/SEA: Drake London - WR, USC
After adding a defensive playmaker at No. 4, the Jets could choose to surround Zach Wilson with more talent at WR. Drake London of USC is in the mix for WR1 and has all the traits teams look for in a true alpha.
London will draw some Mike Evans comparisons due to his 6-5, 209 frame and ability to win 50-50 balls down the field. It's a fair comparison to me, but London has looser hips and isn't as big as Evans. The former USC star showed flashes of understanding nuances of route-running and wins with some bully-ball and spectacular catches. His highs are very high but he has inconsistent hands and sometimes gets too negative trying to make a play after the catch. Overall, there is literally huge upside with London if he can cut down on the drops.
11. Washington: Kenny Pickett- QB, Pittsburgh
The uh... Commanders (weird) are clearly in need of a franchise QB, and No. 11 seems like a reasonable time to take a chance in this draft class. Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett doesn't have a rocket arm but possesses coveted size, athleticism, and production for a potential franchise QB. Pickett's standout trait is his ball placement, as he routinely hit all types of routes in perfect spots with touch when needed. He declined to have his hands measured at the Senior Bowl, which is somewhat of a red flag considering his struggles in bad weather and lack of elite arm strength. Stay tuned for an in-depth prospect profile with film clips coming soon.
12. Minnesota: Jermaine Johnson II - EDGE, Florida State
The Vikings need help on defense and Jermaine Johnson II will be one of the fastest risers in this class in the coming weeks. The 6-5, 262-pound former Florida State edge rusher displayed impressive play strength on film and dominated at the Senior Bowl. While he doesn't have elite bend and wasn't always dominant against sound opponents, his ability to play the run and use his strong hands against off-balance offensive linemen was encouraging. Johnson looks the part and has enough pop in his hands to develop into a strong pro pass rusher. His first step isn't elite but he boasts an effective bullrush that will translate due to his leverage and length. His game is unrefined but natural talent gives him a high floor to go along with a Pro Bowl ceiling.
13. Cleveland: Jordan Davis - DT, Georgia
The Browns roster is pretty solid but they could use this pick on a potential No. 1 WR or edge rusher opposite Myles Garrett. In this projection, they bolster their interior defensive line with Georgia behemoth Jordan Davis.
Davis is 6'6, 345 with unreal movement skills for his size. His change-of-direction skills and overall twitch are absolutely amazing traits. His size/athleticism mix applies to the game when he gets off the ball quickly, uses a pretty inside swim move, and ragdolls opposing offensive linemen. Simply put, he pushes dudes back and disposes of backside block attempts. The best thing about Davis' game is that he doesn't even play that high despite his frame and uses his quicks and leverage to actually make plays from the inside. His ability to penetrate will surely translate. The main two questions about Davis are whether or not he can handle enough snaps from a stamina standpoint and whether or not he can impact the passing game enough to justify such a high pick. I'd bet on his rare talent.
14. Baltimore: Andrew Booth Jr. - CB, Clemson
Most draft analysts agree that the Ravens could use help at CB, but you usually see Derek Stingley Jr. or Sauce Gardner at No. 14. I believe Andrew Booth Jr. is just as talented as those two and could be a surprise as the first corner off the board on draft night.
Booth is long and tall (6-0, 201), and has terrific movement skills and athleticism on the outside. His aggressive style pops on film as he frequently blows up perimeter screens and attacks downhill against the run. He gives great effort, running down plays on the backside and showing willing competitiveness to be physical. It was somewhat frustrating searching for reps of him being targeted, but teams clearly respected his coverage skills as they didn't go after him that much. His mix of size, speed, length, and competitiveness will make him a very appealing target for teams looking for help at the outside corner.
15. Philadelphia f/MIA: Kenyon Green - OL, Texas A&M
Nick Sirianni and the Eagles have three picks in the first round, so they could be busy in terms of trades. If they choose to stay put, they'll have three chances at quality players right in the middle of the first round. With a need at left guard, I expect the Eagles to build on a strength and continue to add to their offensive line with Texas A&M's Kenyon Green.
Green played left tackle for the Aggies but projects best as a guard at the next level. He's physical and aggressive as a drive blocker and uses a wide stance and great feet to stay in front of defenders in pass pro and against stunts. His arms can get a little out of control on the edge, but he is much more under control in small spaces. There are instances of him matching his RB down the field, and his most dominant trait is how fast he gets off the ball. He has the potential to be a high-quality pro OL and his versatile background is an added bonus.
16. Philadelphia f/IND: George Karlaftis - EDGE, Purdue
The Eagles' greatest positional need is probably at EDGE, and they should have no shortage of quality options in the middle of the first round. George Karlaftis of Purdue is a 6'4, 276-pound giant who amassed 14 sacks, 29 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, a blocked kick, and a touchdown during his three-year career in the Big Ten.
Karlaftis' best trait is his strength, as looks like and plays like a weight room monster. When he works his hands well, tackles have no chance against his bullrush. Purdue put him in a 9-technique against Oregon State and he wreaked havoc. He has excellent short-area burst and converts speed to power in tight spaces as well as anyone in this class. The main concern with Karlaftis is his lack of agility, bend, and twitch. He struggled to react to cut-backs in the run game and failed at executing a spin move multiple times. He has trouble stopping his momentum due to some hip tightness and isn't natural in terms of running the arc or winning with quickness. It remains to be seen whether his dominant strength will translate to the pro level where everyone is stronger.
17. LA Chargers: David Ojabo - EDGE, Michigan
Justin Herbert is one of the best young QBs in the league and the early returns on last year's Chargers draft class were extremely promising. The Bolts appear to have a bright future but definitely need help on defense. An edge rusher opposite Joey Bosa makes sense from both a need and value standpoint at No. 17.
Michigan's David Ojabo is a long, 6-5, 250-pound EDGE who broke out in 2021 with 11 sacks. His speed and quickness combo makes him a nightmare for opposing tackles, and the most impressive aspect of his game is his counter move, a devastating spin move, to complement his speed rush. Ojabo didn't play every snap at Michigan and struggles when opposing tackles get their hands inside quick enough, but he has the length and quickness to develop into a big-time edge threat at the next level.
18. New Orleans: Charles Cross - OT, Mississippi State
The Saints could very well use this pick on a QB or trade-up, but in this projection, they stay put and select free agent tackle Terron Armstead's replacement. Mississippi State's Charles Cross has garnered some hype as a potential top-10 pick, but his film is not without flaws.
Light on his feet with long arms, Cross dominated LaBryan Ray on Alabama and generally did a decent job anchoring against most opponents. He showed the ability to make terrific cut-off blocks in the backside as a run blocker but had to resort to recovering after falling behind as a pass blocker all too often. Cross has a high floor as someone with all the tools to play in the NFL, but I fear that his susceptibility to not reacting quick enough and lack of standout functional strength limit his ceiling at the next level.
19. Philadelphia: Nakobee Dean - LB, Georgia
With their third pick in the teens, the Eagles could look to address a position of need with one of the best off-ball LBs in this class in Georgia's Nakobee Dean.
The leader of one of the best defensive units of all time, the 6-foot, 225-pound Dean is a bit undersized but has outstanding closing speed and flashes the ability to get through trash to make plays in the run game. He's a good finisher and instinctive, as evidenced by a pick-six in man coverage against Florida. His speed surely plays at the next level, but there are more questions about his translation than most draft analysts have pointed out. His film shows him getting pancaked in the run game by pullers, jolted by running backs multiple times, and torched on an angle route. Dean can beat blocking angles, but he'll do his best when kept clean at the second level.
20. Pittsburgh: Malik Willis - QB, Liberty
Ben Roethlisberger is gone so the Steelers will likely use this pick in some way to acquire their QB of the future. Given how this organization has operated historically, it would be shocking for them to start the season without a long-term plan at the most important position. In this projection, they stay put with their eyes on multiple imperfect signal-callers and select the one with the most physical talent in this class in Liberty's Malik Willis.
Willis has all the physical traits teams look for in a franchise QB, including a pre-requisite frame at 6-0, 220, a huge arm, and exceptional athleticism. Willis left Auburn after losing the starting job to Bo Nix and went on to lead Liberty to a 10-1 season in 2020, passing for 2250 yards on 64.2% completions, 20 TDs, and six INTs, with 944 yards and 14 TDs on the ground. His stats dropped off in his senior year, as his completion percentage fell to 61.1 and he threw 12 picks, while Liberty went just 8-5.
Despite outstanding arm talent and dynamic running ability, Willis' film is not without flaws, especially against top competition. He has a bad habit of taking too many sacks, not throwing the ball away quick enough, and making poor decisions on second-reaction plays. With his running ability, instinctive decision-making will be key to his translation to the next level. Willis also doesn't have the accuracy of a Kenny Pickett, as evidenced by his drop in completion percentage as a senior. However, I value traits over college performance, which is part of the reason I ranked Justin Herbert over Tua Tagovailoa in 2019.
Willis has star potential and his accuracy issues are improvable given his flashes of terrific placement and recent passer developments of Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. I cannot wait to share my in-depth Malik Willis Prospect Profile with film clips coming soon.
21. New England: Derek Stingley Jr. - CB, LSU
With J.C. Jackson headed for free agency, the Patriots will likely be in the market for a CB who excels in man-to-man coverage. Look no further than LSU's Derek Stingley, who has the natural tools and athleticism worthy of an even higher selection.
Stingley had an absolutely amazing freshman season in 2019 at LSU, shutting down opponents and recording six interceptions in 15 games en route to a National Championship victory. The issue is that he's only played in 10 games since then and his play declined. Stingley was famously torched by DeVonta Smith in 2020, giving up slants and verticals that just made him look slower than the eventual Heisman winner. To be fair, Stingley was apparently dealing with an injury at the time.
Still, his 2021 film showed a propensity to get beat by in-breaking routes, some hair-late head turns in man, and a couple of missed tackles, one of which led to a TD against UCLA. While his speed is an asset, it was a little concerning to see his need to recover against a guy like Collin Johnson. From a traits perspective, Stingley is worth a high first-round pick and has shutdown potential. How teams assess his past two years struggling to stay on the field will decide his draft fate.
22. Las Vegas: Chris Olave - WR, Ohio State
The Raiders have a need at receiver and speedster Chris Olave of Ohio State makes sense as a replacement for Henry Ruggs III. Olave is a 6-1, 189-pound burner who amassed 2702 yards and 35 touchdowns in four years at Ohio State. Olave's game is reminiscent of a bigger DeSean Jackson with better hands, as he made multiple impressive grabs on film including a crazy climb-the-ladder catch against Rutgers. His speed pops off the screen but he doesn't deal with physicality well and may struggle against press coverage at the next level.
Overall, he doesn't have the same type of elusiveness as Garrett Wilson and he's inconsistent getting separation. While he might not be the type to consistently win one-on-one on the outside, he obviously has the tools to be a big-play deep threat with great hands and ball-tracking in the NFL.
23. Arizona: Trent McDuffie - CB, Washington
After a hot start in 2021, the Cardinals fizzled down the stretch, ending their season with an embarrassing playoff loss to the Rams. Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray didn't always seem to be on the same page, but the team looks content to run it back next year with those two leading the way. With Chandler Jones a free agent, the Cards could be looking at an edge rusher here. If they can re-sign him, upgrading their RCB spot is also a possibility.
Trent McDuffie of Washington might not be the most physically-imposing presence at just 5-11, 194, but his lightning quickness and elite speed will absolutely play in the NFL. McDuffie has the coveted playmaker trait, forcing fumbles and making tackles all the way across the field. In coverage, his feet are incredibly quick and he has blazing recovery speed. A heat-seeking missile to the ball, McDuffie profiles similarly to Denzel Ward, who went fourth overall in the 2018 draft.
24. Dallas: Travon Walker - EDGE, Georgia
The Cowboys have been one of the better drafting franchises in recent years and clearly hit a home run with their first-round selection of Micah Parsons in 2020. The roster has talent, but Dak Prescott underachieved in his first year back from injury. Dallas has needs at safety and offensive line, but with Randy Gregory slated to be a free agent, they could also use a pass-rusher opposite Demarcus Lawrence.
Travon Walker of Georgia is a versatile prospect who can play both inside and outside on the defensive line. At 6-5, 275, his athleticism for his size pops off the screen and he's expected to test very well at the combine. An insane athlete with whoa change-of-direction and tremendous play strength, Walker packs a punch with long arms and heavy hands. The question is whether or not he truly has pro edge-rusher stuff (only 9.5 sacks in 29 games and a lot came on stunts). The other concern with all these Georgia DLs is how they'll react to not being part of a stacked rotation that kept them all consistently fresh. Regardless, his traits pop on film when he's wrong-arming pullers and making huge hits like a run-and-hit linebacker. Walker needs technique refinement but there's no doubt he has the tools that translate.
25. Buffalo: Ahmad Gardner - CB, Cincinnati
After a heartbreaking playoff loss to the Chiefs, the Bills find themselves again picking at the bottom of the first round without any big holes on the roster. With Levi Wallace slated for free agency, adding a CB opposite Tre'Davious White makes sense.
"Sauce" Gardner was one of the top DBs in the country at Cincinnati, striking fear in the hearts of opposing play-callers who mostly looked to avoid him. The slender 6-2, 200-pound corner famously didn't give up a touchdown in his career and displayed awesome athletic ability on film. Gardner played a lot of cloud coverage in the games I studied, allowing him to shoot down with quickness to make tackles on the perimeter. His speed surely plays at the next level, as he was consistently effective in stopping in-breaking routes in man coverage. A close study of his film against UCF and Memphis will show plays where he was beaten, and he does get grabby at the top of certain routes. While not a perfect prospect, there's no doubt his innate coverage ability will translate to the pro game.
26. Tennessee: Tyler Linderbaum - C, Iowa
The Titans' window might begin closing sooner rather than later, and they failed to capitalize on the No. 1 seed last season. Tennessee wants to play a physical brand of football and Derrick Henry won't stay elite forever, so adding to their offensive line makes sense. With no legitimate starting center currently under contract, Iowa's Tyler Linderbaum is a good fit for Mike Vrabel's squad.
Linderbaum was the best center in the country last season and received a lot of draft hype as a potential top-10 pick despite his position. After studying his film, I'm not sure he's worth that high of a pick, as his losses versus size were a bit concerning. Linderbaum's best trait is his speed, as he is terrific at reach blocks and in space. He would excel most in a wide zone scheme where his lateral movement can be emphasized. From a functional strength and physicality standpoint, there were reps of him being jolted back by linebackers and struggling against power. However, if a team can accentuate his athleticism, he can gain strength and develop into an elite pro. The Michigan nose tackle had no chance against him.
27. Tampa Bay: Sam Howell - QB, North Carolina
With Tom Brady done in Tampa Bay, the Bucs will have to take a long look at last year's third-rounder Kyle Trask and compare him to this year's QB class. I was not particularly high on Trask, so I think there's a pretty good chance the Bucs go QB in the first two rounds this year. Sam Howell of North Carolina has the kind of arm Bruce Arians loves.
Howell benefited from a ton of NFL talent on his offense in 2020, completing 68.1% of his passes for 3586 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions while adding six scores on the ground. Without Dyami Brown, Dazz Newsome, Javonte Williams, and Michael Carter in 2021, Howell's passing numbers took a dip (62.5%, 3056, 24/9), while his rushing stats exploded (828 yards, 11 TDs).
From a traits standpoint, Howell has the ideal size (6'1, 220), arm talent, and mobility of an NFL QB. He throws a nice ball with zip from all different arm angles. Howell's question marks include holding the ball too long, staring concepts down, and making poor decisions. His ability to be a creative playmaker with his legs will surely entice NFL decision-makers, but I do wonder if he'd be the best player on an NFL field. I'll take a deeper look into Howell's film in an upcoming Prospect Profile with film clips.
28. Green Bay: Jameson Williams - WR, Alabama
It will likely be a very quiet offseason for the Packers with no huge decisions to be made at QB or WR. Seriously, whether it's Jordan Love or Aaron Rodgers, the Packers could use another receiving weapon regardless of Davante Adams' status. Jameson Williams of Alabama is arguably the best WR in this class, but will likely fall down the board a bit due to an ACL injury sustained in the National Championship.
Williams (6-2, 189) is an absolute burner whose deep-threat prowess will surely translate to the pro game. After being buried behind a bunch of pros at Ohio State, Williams transferred to Alabama and put up 79/1572/15 in his one season in Tuscaloosa. His film shows game-breaking speed and a mastery of the deep post. Williams got more physical as the season went on, displaying strong hands and a great tipped concentration catch against LSU. While his blocking surely needs work, his willingness to cover punts as a gunner underscores an edge, excitement, and competitiveness in his game. The main question here is if he can stay healthy with a slender frame and injury history.
29. Miami f/SF: Trevor Penning - OT, Northern Iowa
The Dolphins made the baffling decision to keep GM Chris Grier and fire Brian Flores and will go into the draft with upgrades needed at a handful of positions. Austin Jackson has not been the answer at left tackle (as I predicted), so I expect the Phins to target a tackle early in the draft.
Trevor Penning is a behemoth tackle prospect, standing at 6-7, 330 with long arms. He plays with some nastiness and great competitive fire, riling up teammates during Senior Bowl practices. He uses his size well on film, dominating at times as a run blocker. His kickslide is sweet for a man with his size and he's at his best moving straight forward or straight backward. There are some flaws in his game (whiffing in space, lack of elite balance, leverage against bullrushes), but he clearly has the tools to make the jump from FCS star to NFL starter.
30. Kansas City: Kyler Gordon - CB, Washington
The Chiefs' championship window will be open as long as Patrick Mahomes is at QB, but Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill may not be elite forever. Depending on what happens with a handful of important free agents, Kansas City may be in the market for a receiver, tackle, safety, or edge rusher. Another need could be CB, where Washington's Kyler Gordon makes sense at No. 30.
Gordon has the size (6-0, 200), length, and speed to start in the NFL, and his film is very impressive opposite Trent McDuffie. Physical with a smooth pedal, Gordon can click-and-close and made some terrific plays on the ball, including a ridiculous toe-tapping interception against Cal. He's a good tackler and plays with the type of confidence and aggressiveness that will translate.
31. Cincinnati: Zion Johnson - OG, Boston College
Joe Burrow and the Bengals had a terrific season in 2021, but everyone knows one positional unit held them back all year. It would be absolutely shocking if the Bengals didn't address their offensive line in free agency and the draft this offseason.
Zion Johnson of Boston College had an excellent Senior Bowl and profiles as an easy plug-and-play guard. He uses solid, deliberate footwork to mirror in pass protection, and runs his feet on contact well in the run game. Johnson's functional strength surely plays in the league and his performance at the Senior Bowl likely cemented his place in the first two rounds.
32. Detroit f/LAR: Roger McCreary - CB, Auburn
After adding a pass-rusher with the No. 2 overall pick, the Lions continue to build on a defense that struggled against both the run and pass last season. Roger McCreary of Auburn is not a conventional first-round CB from a length standpoint, but his 5-11, 189-pound frame is the only real red flag in his profile because his film is terrific.
McCreary has ideal speed and the quickness to play both inside and outside at the NFL level. He had quite a battle with Jameson Williams and John Metchie in the Alabama game, winning some reps and struggling in others. McCreary's best trait is his ability to play the pocket and get his off-hand to the ball for pass breakups. When you combine that skill with his speed, it's easy to project his game to the next level. While he typically won matchups on the outside at Auburn, I believe he'll transition to be a starting nickel corner in the NFL.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more NFL draft articles in the coming days.
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